Diagnosis: Friend [Rebirth] - Chapter 38.2

Chapter 38.2

The orange light spilled down. Gu Yining leaned against the iron gate, looking up at the streetlamp surrounded by swarms of mosquitoes.

A long time had passed, yet no security guard had come to chase her away. It seemed Jiang Qing’s phone call had been a bluff; perhaps she hadn’t dialed at all.

She didn’t know if this counted as evidence of Jiang Qing’s heart softening toward her.

The campus was deathly silent. The small path next to the dormitory building was unswept, covered in fallen leaves that crunched loudly underfoot. Gu Yining walked along the path to the back of the dormitory. Through the thick night, a certain window emitted a faint, cold light.

Unfortunately, the curtains were drawn. Otherwise, she might have caught a glimpse of Jiang Qing.

After a while, Gu Yining walked back out under the dim yellow streetlights. The chilly wind whistled, making her face sting slightly. Since that massive rainstorm, the temperature had plummeted, and the chirping of insects at night had grown sparse.

Two weeks passed in a flash.

Anhe No. 2 High School opened its gates in the cool breeze. Students swarmed in listlessly at first, but were soon infected by the joy of reuniting with friends, becoming vibrant and energetic once more.

Yang Lei tirelessly shared gossip with her: “Jiang Qing! Remember how I told you I was shipping a real-life CP? They officially announced they’re together! Ahhh!”

Looking at Yang Lei’s excited face, Jiang Qing truly couldn’t recall who the couple was, but she knew she had to give a reaction. She nodded and forced a smile: “Congratulations, congratulations!”

“I’ve been shipping them for three years! Back when they were on that variety show, everyone said they didn’t get along, but I was the only one who saw the spark. Thank God!” Yang Lei shook Jiang Qing’s arm until her body trembled. Catching a glimpse of Jian Wenxin entering the classroom, she quickly let go and sat up straight, though she couldn’t suppress the grin on her face.

Jiang Qing was amused by her behavior and curled her lips slightly.

Two coughs came from the megaphone. The bubbling chatter in the classroom gradually died down. Jian Wenxin scanned the room from back to front. Seeing that almost everyone was present, she briefly explained a few things to note for the new semester.

One of them was the upcoming diagnostic entrance exam.

As soon as the words left her mouth, a wave of groans erupted in the classroom. Tapping on the podium, Jian Wenxin said, “I told you at the end of last semester. Senior year starts with a diagnostic exam; you just didn’t take it to heart.”

Despite the students’ reluctance, the exams were held as scheduled. After finishing the final science comprehensive subject, Jiang Qing dragged her exhausted body out of the classroom. She let out a yawn and was pulled toward the cafeteria by Yang Lei.

During the first two days of school, the students’ novelty and nostalgia for the cafeteria made it overcrowded, with no empty seats in sight.

Jiang Qing carried her tray, her gaze sweeping over the occupied tables. Behind her, Yang Lei followed, sighing irritably, “So many people.” The air in the cafeteria was stale; with so many students suddenly pouring in, it felt somewhat stifling.

As Yang Lei wiped her sweat and searched for a seat, someone suddenly waved at her. She squinted and recognized Gu Yining. There were two people next to Gu Yining who were almost finished eating.

Nudging Jiang Qing with her elbow, Yang Lei said, “Jiang Qing, there’s a spot over by Gu Yining—”

Before she could finish, Jiang Qing suddenly walked in the opposite direction, saying as she went, “There are seats over here.”

Yang Lei followed Jiang Qing and sat down in the empty spots. She stole a glance at Jiang Qing, who was looking down at her food with an expressionless face. Then she looked at Gu Yining, not far behind Jiang Qing. Gu Yining seemed to have expected her gaze and gave Yang Lei a shallow smile.

Yang Lei looked down at the white rice on her tray. She was certain Jiang Qing had heard her. In the past, Jiang Qing would definitely have gone over to Gu Yining. Why was she being so strange today, as if they were in a cold war?

Thinking back, it wasn’t just today. Usually, Gu Yining would wait outside the door when Jiang Qing finished class, or if the Class 9 teacher ran over time, Jiang Qing would wait outside Class 9 so they could go to the cafeteria or dorms together. But since school started, she had hardly seen them together.

Did they fight? Yang Lei had no information on the matter and felt it wasn’t the right time to ask, so she just ate in silence.

Leaving the cafeteria, the warm, golden afternoon sun spilled over the tree-lined path. The only benefit of the diagnostic exam was that they didn’t have to start classes at 7:30 AM or attend evening self-study, providing a brief buffer between the relaxed summer and the pressure of senior year.

But it was short indeed; it was already over, and they would have to wake up early again tomorrow.

“It’s so annoying, I really don’t want to wake up early,” Yang Lei grumbled while planning her breakfast for the next day. Amidst the soft rustling of leaves, a sharp sound suddenly rang out. She froze, realizing it was a finger-whistle.

Does the school have hoodlums like that? Yang Lei stopped alongside Jiang Qing and looked up toward the sound. On the third floor of the teaching building, a girl was leaning against the window. She had shoulder-length hair and thick bangs, but even from a distance, it was clear she was a great beauty.

the beauty curled her lips into a smile and pulled out something—it looked like a card. From that distance, Yang Lei couldn’t see what it was. Yang Lei belatedly realized the girl seemed to be communicating with Jiang Qing. She turned to look at Jiang Qing, who was looking up silently at the girl, her face devoid of expression.

The evening breeze blew into the classroom. Classes hadn’t officially started yet; the blackboard was clean, and an unopened box of chalk sat at the front of the podium. The orange sunset spilled into the room. The desks were empty, not yet piled high with books, possessing a primitive, minimalist beauty.

Tan Baozhu sat with her legs crossed, her fingertips repeatedly stroking a photo that wasn’t even the size of her palm. In the photo, the girl was laughing happily, two shallow dimples visible by her lips—she was beautiful. Behind the girl, a woman in a brown coat smiled, one hand in her pocket while the other made a “peace” sign at the camera. The background was a sky full of fireworks.

Tan Baozhu curled her middle finger and lightly flicked the forehead of the girl in the photo.

Before long, she heard footsteps approaching in the hallway. Her lashes lifted, revealing dark eyes beneath her thick bangs. Resting her chin on her hand with her elbow on the desk, Tan Baozhu looked at the newcomer. “I think I did well on the exam. I feel like I can make the top 500.”

She handed the photo to the person. “There’s only one left. If I really make the top 500 when the results come out, I’ll give it to you.”

The girl stepped forward and took the photo from Tan Baozhu. Seeing her look down at the photo pensively, Tan Baozhu laughed. “There’s nothing written on the back of this one. Even if someone sees it, it won’t hurt her. You don’t have to tear it up.” She glanced at the photo. “It’s a nice shot. Keep it.”

Jiang Qing took a breath and tucked the photo into her school uniform pocket. Then she heard Tan Baozhu ask, “Did you take the photo, or did she?”

She didn’t want to answer, so Tan Baozhu answered for herself: “Oh, she probably took it. Back then you only had a second-hand ‘old man’ phone; you couldn’t take such a clear photo.”

The sunset and the wind poured into the empty classroom, stretching long shadows across the floor. A rare silence spread through the room. Jiang Qing tilted her head slightly, her cheek stained with orange light. She looked at Tan Baozhu and suddenly asked, “Do you like Ms. Jian?”

The desks and chairs remained silent. The classroom fell into a momentary hush; even the wind seemed to stop breathing.

With a “pfft,” Tan Baozhu burst out laughing. “Worried I’ll become your rival in love?”

Jiang Qing said, “No, I was just curious.”

Tan Baozhu let go and sat back lazily against the seat. “Big Scholar Jiang, as your temporary student, I’ll give you a piece of kind advice: give up on Jian Wenxin as soon as possible.” She stood up, supporting herself on the chair, and staggered over to stand in front of Jiang Qing.

“She’s not like us. We are lesbians. She’s straight. She’s going to get married, have children, and make love with a man.” She leaned down close to Jiang Qing’s chest, looking up at Jiang Qing’s face. “Do you understand?”

Jiang Qing’s romantic feelings for Ms. Jian had vanished more than a decade ago; now, she felt only respect and gratitude. But Tan Baozhu’s words inadvertently touched upon Gu Yining, placing the bloody truth right in front of Jiang Qing.

She knew. She had always known. It felt like a stone was lodged in her throat, making it hard to breathe.

Tan Baozhu’s eyes crinkled; she was satisfied with Jiang Qing’s reaction. She leaned in a few inches closer, her breath lightly grazing Jiang Qing’s neck. The other girl noticed immediately but only looked down at her, not moving away.

Tan Baozhu spoke softly: “Only you and I are the same. Only you and I share the same feelings. We are of a kind.”

“Forget her.” Tan Baozhu’s breath fell on Jiang Qing’s cheek, and her pleasant perfume filled Jiang Qing’s nose. “Give it a try with me… I don’t mind being the tool you use to forget her. Whenever you want to break up, I’ll never bother you.” She smiled gently. “I might be a ‘bad person,’ but my one virtue is keeping my promises. Think about it… do you want to try with me?”

Sunlight hit Jiang Qing’s pale gray pupils, making them look like beautiful glaze. Jiang Qing pursed her lips. “I…”

Tan Baozhu suddenly hooked her hand around Jiang Qing’s waist. The girl in the Japanese-style uniform leaned in like a snake. “Put on some lip balm; your lips are cracked.” She licked her own lips, closed her eyes, and moved to kiss Jiang Qing.

The hand behind her waist was burning, scorching Jiang Qing’s skin. Her heart was in turmoil—the best way to forget someone is to start a new relationship. That slightly red mouth drew closer, lips parted, flicking like a snake’s tongue. The hot breath grew closer until it was almost entwined with her own.

A split second before their lips touched, Jiang Qing jerked her face away.

At the same time, a loud crash echoed from behind. Someone had kicked the classroom door open. Both turned their heads toward the door.

The air seemed to freeze.

The door hit the wall, kicking up dust. Gu Yining stood there leaning against the frame, gasping for air, her cheeks flushed. She looked up at the shocked Jiang Qing. Before any specific emotion could register on her face, she ran straight toward Jiang Qing.

Jiang Qing instinctively pushed Tan Baozhu away and stepped back. Before she hit the desk behind her, her wrist was suddenly seized by Gu Yining. She couldn’t see the expression on Gu Yining’s face, but she could tell she was far from happy. Jiang Qing swallowed. “Gu—”

In the next instant, her arm was pulled forcefully. The sunset glow blurred before Jiang Qing’s eyes, and the wind seemed to pick up. She heard Tan Baozhu let out an “Ow!” behind her, but before she could turn to see what happened, she was pulled out of the classroom by Gu Yining.

The door to Class 9 stood wide open. As their figures disappeared from sight, Tan Baozhu lowered her head and clutched her arm, leaning on a desk and gasping.

D*mn! What kind of brute strength does Gu Yining have? That hurt! That wench… did she hide a piece of iron in her hand or something?